World Veterinary Day 2025: “Animal Health Takes a Team” – A Time for Reflection and Renewal

Each year, World Veterinary Day offers the global veterinary community an opportunity to reflect on our mission, acknowledge our achievements, and chart a course forward. On 26 April 2025, we will come together under the inspiring theme of the World Veterinary Association: “Animal Health Takes a Team.” This theme is a timely reminder that effective animal care is a collaborative endeavour that unites professionals across disciplines and settings.

As President of the Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association (MSAVA), I see this teamwork daily — in veterinary clinics, university hospitals, diagnostic labs, community outreach projects, and policy development spaces. Whether you are a veterinarian, veterinary nurse, technician, researcher, administrator, or industry partner, your role is essential. Together, we form a tightly woven care network for the animals we serve and the communities that rely on us.

But beyond celebrating this collective spirit, World Veterinary Day 2025 also calls us to reflect more deeply on our personal purpose, the sustainability of our profession, and the tools we need to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Knowing Your Mission, Vision, and End Game

In a profession as demanding as ours, it is easy to get swept up in the day-to-day challenges and lose sight of the bigger picture. That is why it is crucial for every small animal practitioner to know their mission, vision, and end game.

Your mission is your “why” — the reason you chose this path and the values that guide your work. Your vision helps chart the future you want for your practice, patients, and team. And your end game defines what success looks like for you — clinical excellence, financial independence, community impact, or a balance of all three.

Veterinary practice is not just a profession; it’s a calling. But passion alone is not enough. Clarity of purpose helps guide decisions, inspire teams, attract loyal clients, and sustain momentum in the face of adversity.

Work-Life Balance and Mental Health Matter

Veterinary medicine is advantageous, but emotionally, physically, and mentally taxing. We are often expected to manage complex medical decisions, high client expectations, and long working hours while maintaining composure and compassion.

Mental health and work-life balance are no longer optional conversations — they are core to a sustainable veterinary career. Burnout, compassion fatigue, and depression are increasingly recognised within our profession, and we must take proactive steps to address them.

Starting in 2025 and beyond, MSAVA will emphasise mental health and well-being more. We will introduce wellness-focused programs, promote awareness around emotional resilience, and create peer support opportunities where veterinarians can find strength in the community. We are also committed to advocating for fairer work environments that protect the well-being of all veterinary team members.

True leadership begins with self-care. By fostering a culture of openness, empathy, and balance, we ensure that veterinary teams can effectively and sustainably care for their patients and themselves.

Preparing for a New Era: Corporate Practice and Investment

The veterinary landscape in Malaysia and across Asia is undergoing rapid transformation. Corporate investment in veterinary practices is rising, bringing both opportunities and challenges for practitioners.

Corporate models can provide access to capital, structured career development, and operational efficiency. However, they also introduce new dynamics—changes in autonomy, culture, and competitive pressure—that private practitioners must prepare for.

Rather than viewing this trend with fear, we must respond with foresight. Small animal veterinarians must become savvy business leaders who understand the key principles of practice management, human resources, client experience, and strategic planning.

Whether your goal is to remain independent or partner with corporate entities, your practice must have clear systems, well-defined values, and strong leadership. MSAVA encourages all practitioners to engage in business education and peer sharing to remain resilient and agile in this changing environment.

Embracing AI and Technology in Veterinary Practice

Another shift shaping our future is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies into veterinary care. AI-powered tools are already assisting with radiograph interpretation, pathology analysis, diagnostics, client communication, and even practice management.

Rather than replacing the human touch, AI augments the veterinarian’s capacity, offering better efficiency, accuracy, and insight. It enables us to focus more on critical thinking, compassionate care, and complex problem-solving, while automating routine or repetitive tasks.

Veterinarians must proactively advocate for the responsible use of AI, ensuring ethical standards, data protection, and transparency. MSAVA recognises the immense potential of digital tools and is committed to supporting our members in understanding, adopting, and integrating technology in ways that align with professional integrity and patient welfare.

Building a Stronger, More United Profession

The theme “Animal Health Takes a Team” reinforces what many of us already know: no one works alone in this profession. From the receptionist welcoming a worried pet owner, to the technician monitoring anaesthesia, to the specialist offering expert referral, every link in the chain matters.

True teamwork also extends beyond the walls of the clinic: 

• Between private practices and academia, to foster continuous learning and innovation.
• Between veterinarians and regulators, to shape policy and raise public trust.
• Between different veterinary organisations, to advocate for shared causes.
• And most importantly, between veterinarians and pet owners, whose trust and cooperation are crucial for successful outcomes.

We must continue investing in a culture of collaboration, not competition, and build systems that support shared growth, mutual respect, and lifelong learning.

Final Reflections

As we celebrate World Veterinary Day 2025, let us look beyond the celebrations and reflect on our purpose, priorities, and partnerships. Let us not only thank our colleagues but also support them. Let us commit to caring for animals in a way that also protects our people and our profession.

The future of veterinary medicine is team-based, tech-enabled, and mission-driven. We ensure that our teams and patients thrive by embracing purpose, protecting mental health, adapting to change, and welcoming innovation.

We all at MSAVA wish you a meaningful, energising, and forward-looking World Veterinary Day 2025.

Because at the heart of it all, Animal Health Takes a Team — and you are an indispensable part of that team.

Warm regards,

Tan Check Nam
President
Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association